This I Promise You

Sequel to: "My Heart Beats Like A Drum"

Building A Family series

Written by: Chochowilliams

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Summary: Could it be that Shuichi really is just paranoid or is there something about the new neighbor?

Warning: M/M, Sexual Situations, Romance, Drama, Angst, Fantasy, Infidelity, OOC-ness, Language, M-Preg, Masturbation, Anal, Oral, Minor Character Death, OCs, 1st person POV, Japan Natives: surname first

Pairings: Shuichi/Eiri, Hiro/Ayaka, Hiro/Suguru, OMC/OFC

Insert: recap from Chapter 8, "Send Me An Angel" by Scorpions

A/N: Enjoy!

oOo

Last Time

"We're not going to do 'Spicy Marmalade', are we?" the red-haired guitarist guessed.

"What?" the others cried in shock and disbelief.

Suguru stared wide eyed at their singer. "You've got to be kidding!"

Shuichi smiled sheepishly at them, scratching his head. "I wish I was."

Crying out, Bad Luck's young manager pulled at his hair and paced away from the source of his stress. "Shindou-san! How can you-? Do you have any idea-? Ugh!"

"I know and I'm sorry, but with this new turn of events, both Eiri and I…" Shuichi felt like such a heel for doing this to them, but there was nothing to be done about it. "We don't want to take the chance-"

Hiro laid a hand on his conflicted friends shoulder. "It's all right, Shu. We understand."

"What!" Suguru turned to stare incredibly at the taller man. "Hir-Nakano-san!"

"At least tell me we're still doing 'The Rage Beat'."

"Of course! We can't disappoint a bunch of kids, can we?"

Knowing any protest he made was fruitless, Suguru sighed heavily and slumped down in the chair. "Okay. So, we can't do 'Spicy Marmalade'. Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Well, Riku made an interesting suggestion," Shuichi said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Suguru laid his head against the back of the chair and wished this were all just a bad dream.

oOo

Chapter 9: Bad Lucks Final Curtain Call

The next week and a half went by in the blur of activity. Bad Luck perfected their acoustic, instrumental version of "The Rage Beat" while on the other side of the city, the Asian Youth Orchestra they hired to accompany them the night of the award show worked on their bit for the performance. Together, they all came up with a suitable transition piece that would tie in "The Rage Beat" with the band's final song of the evening. The song Riku had suggested suited the occasion very much, but it had been quite a shock to them all when Shuichi had agreed to his son's idea. Changing the final song at the last minute had stirred up quite a hornet's nest. They had already started the choreography, lighting, and pyrotechnics and decorating the stage, all of which had to be thrown out and reassessed.

Shuichi had no idea how their involvement in one of the biggest shows went undetected, but it did. As Tohma said, only a few very select people knew Bad Luck was going to be there at the MCVMA's and they were sworn to secrecy. They even had to sign a contract promising they would not tell a soul until after the performance was over, otherwise there would be some serious consequences.

The day before the big day, the auditorium where the show was to be held was shut and locked down. Security was so tight you would think the Prime Minister or the Royal Family were inside instead of a rock band. Even they would have a difficult time gaining entrance, though. Only those people immediately involved with the show were allowed anywhere near the building as Bad Luck went through their whole performance for the first time. Everyone was in awe of the students who seemed much more together than the members of Bad Luck. There were a few glitches with light, sound and synchronization, but they were quickly worked out.

The day of the actual performance dawned bright and clear. There was another dry run the day of the show before a few pre-award show awards were handed out and once again, the place was shut and locked down as the special guests went through their performance one last time.

Shuichi had never felt so nervous in his entire life. A herald of butterflies fluttered restlessly in the pit of his stomach. It had been over a year since he was last on a stage and he was scared. He was so nervous about that night's performance he felt nauseous, but at the same time, he felt…"Excited" was too tame a word for how he was feeling. He was looking forward to finally being able to go up on stage and do what he loved to do.

This was his life. He loved being up on that stage and looking out at a sea of exultant fans screaming and having the best time of their lives. He loved it when they could sing the song with no help from him. He loved every single minute of it, but as much as he enjoyed what he did, there came a time when everyone needs a break, some time away and this was his. Besides, who said this was the end? Bad Luck might make a comeback some day.

oOo

With his earpiece in, Shuichi paced backstage, full of nervous energy as he waited for his cue to go on.

Because he had put on some weight due to his pregnancy, if his regular street clothes did not fit there was no way his stage attire would fit, so he coerced the costume department to let him go on stage in casual wear that consisted of a white button down shirt opened halfway to show a plain black shirt tucked into a pair of crisp new dark blue jeans. He had on his gold necklace; tiny diamond studs in his ears and of course his wedding ring. It was a nice change.

So far, nobody had any idea who the special guest performers were going to be. Many people suspected Nittle Grasper. Boy, were they in for a huge surprise! Even now, ten minutes before they were scheduled to go on, backstage was a scene of utter and complete chaos. The children's orchestra was in place on stage, ready for the signal to begin. Bad Luck was kept well hidden and away from everyone not involved with the performance.

Closing his eyes, Shuichi hummed, getting a feel for the music, and started his vocal exercises.

Right about now, they were giving away the last award of the night, which was the Viewer's Choice. Bad Luck had been the favorites this year to win, but unfortunately, they would not be able to accept their award in person if they won. Instead, they decided in the event they should win, someone would go up to receive it for them.

Shuichi squealed and clapped widely as Bad Luck's name was announced. "We won! We won," he whispered. He became teary eyed as the whole place jumped to its feet. A deafening explosion of cheer rippled through the auditorium. An echoing cheer erupted backstage. The crewmembers grinned proudly and congratulated the band, clapping the singer on the back.

Through tear-blurred vision, Shuichi watched the television that had been set up backstage as the cameras focused in on Eiri and Riku sitting in the audience. The MC announced over the thunderous applause that accepting for Bad Luck was Yuki Eiri. Shuichi watched as his husband and their son walked up to the stage and bowed politely to the presenters-some big shot actors that were all the hype back in the early and mid-nineties. Eiri accepted the heavy, silver award and turned to stand at the podium.

Shuichi had never loved his family more than he did right now. Riku had no problem speaking in front of audiences, no matter the size. He loved being the center of attention, but Eiri on the other hand hated doing this kind of thing and for him to get up on that stage in front of millions of people made Shuichi love him even more.

"Thank you," Eiri said into the microphone as the place quieted. "Firstly, Shuichi and I both wanted to thank you all for your prayers and get well cards. This has been a very difficult time for us and knowing everybody cared and supported him gave him the strength and the courage to be able to pull through and get better."

Cheers and clapping followed this statement.

"So," the writer continued, "once again thank you to all of the Bad Luck fans out there and everyone who made this possible. I know they would say that if it were not for you, they would not even be here today. Thank you." He lifted the award and bowed as the place erupted into thunderous applause, but instead of being escorted off stage, Eiri stepped back and let the applause die down once again.

"One minute," came the shout backstage as Riku stepped out from behind his father and up to the microphone. The lights backstage dim and if Shuichi thought there was chaos before, it escalated, ten fold.

Shuichi handed over his cane to one of the crewmembers and someone handed him his microphone. It would not be turned on until he was actually on stage. He was escorted to the bottom of the stairs that he would have to climb in order to get to the platform where he would begin the song.

They had decided that the orchestra and Suguru would start with the extended version of the Last Element Mix version of "The Rage Beat" and act as if that was all they were doing, a tribute to Shindou Shuichi and Bad Luck's long and lustrous career, but then the second song would begin and Shuichi would make his grand entrance.

"Each year, the MCVMA's have a special surprise guest," Riku was saying. "Last year it was Nittle Grasper, live via satellite from New York."

Applause and catcalls followed this statement. Eiri had to fight to roll his eyes. Of course, Riku knew all about the "special guest" because he watched this award show every year whether Bad Luck was appearing or not. Eiri was only aware about the "special guest" that appeared each year because each year he was forced into either watching or coming with Shuichi to the show. If it were anyone else, he would have killed him or her for dragging him to an annoying, obnoxious event.

"But this year, it's even more special. Our special guest this year is a band that disappeared from the music scene over a year ago."

Whispers erupted in the audience. Shuichi could hear the smirk in Riku's voice.

"They are a band that suffered a tremendous and devastating blow earlier this year. Everybody thought that was the end for them, but I am here to say that everybody was wrong. Ladies and Gentlemen, it my pleasure to welcome back to the stage…Bad Luck!" He stepped back and swept his hand towards the stage.

Almost immediately, the auditorium erupted in sound. Everyone jumped to his or her feet, eager to see the band that had been written off. Whistles, hoots and hollers were the only thing you could hear above the thunderous applause.

Shuichi choked back a sob. He turned his head and watched as Eiri and Riku were escorted at a runner's pace through the throng of people towards him. He stood up and raced towards him, tears digging trails down his made up face. "Riku. Eiri," he sobbed as he hugged first his son and then his husband. "Thank you!"

As the soft beautiful strains of the violins began, silence descended upon the place. The gentle sounds of Suguru's synthesizer accompanied the melodious sounds. Soft lights flickered on illuminating the children's orchestra and the keyboardist. The opening strains of "The Rage Beat" filtered out across the auditorium, lulling the audience gently with the slowed down version of Bad Luck's hit single.

"Baka," Eiri whispered, hugging his husband tightly. He pulled back and tsked. "Now you've gone and ruined your makeup."

Shuichi laughed and dried his face as the makeup people rushed forward to fix the damage as he was escorted back to the platform. Above him, he could hear the rest of the orchestra join in, transforming the song he had written into something almost magical.

"Shu," Eiri called. "Good luck! I love you!"

"Good luck, Mama!"

Shuichi blew his lover and son a kiss and smiled as he started up the ladder.

oOo

"The Rage Beat" ended, fading out to roaring applause.

The wind instruments picked up the dropped beat, changing effortlessly from one song to the other flawlessly. They created a sound that sounded almost like a smooth whistle. Suguru echoed that sound on his synthesizers. From the other side of the stage Kai joined, playing an acoustic guitar. He echoed the cords Suguru was playing almost staccato like, but made them flow just as smoothly and slickly.

The audience cheered the addition of the guitar player, but Kai knew whom the people really wanted to see.

As the intro continued to soothe and lull the audience, the spotlights on the stage slowly started to rise to the platform at the top of the stairwell in the center of the stage. The colored lights flickered softly in time with the smooth melody, morphing smoothly from one color to another.

As the lights hit the top of the staircase, the audience took an audible gasp and jumped to their feet. A thunderous crashing sound erupted from the whole building when they saw standing there right before their eyes, Shindou Shuichi.

Violet eyes snapped open. He lifted his head and stared out over the hundreds of people whose eyes were riveted on him. He saw tears and smiles. Girls were screaming, hugging one another and jumping in excitement. The whole place had a thrilled and exulted atmosphere.

"The wise man said just walk this way/To the dawn of the light," Shuichi sang.

A quiet hush fell upon the auditorium. "Send me An Angel" was a ballad Bad Luck had remade for their last album. It was the song they had been rushing to complete.

"The wind will blow into your face/As the years pass you by/Hear this voice from deep inside."

Shuichi slowly started down the steps, without the aid of a railing or his cane. The onlookers gasped in amazement as the man who had just months before lay paralyzed in a hospital bed walked down towards the stage as if nothing had ever happened.

"It's the call of your heart/Close your eyes and you will find/The passage out of the dark/Here I am!"

Hiro, standing by his microphone waiting for his cue and his guitar waiting patiently, and Kai echoed him softly, "Here I am."

"Will you send me an angel/Here I am!"

"Here I am."

"In the land of the morning star!" Shuichi held the last note as he stepped off the steps and walked across the stage.

The soft sound of the song was joined by Kei on the drummers, Michael on the bass guitar, Hiro on electric guitar and the rest of the orchestra.

Shuichi started towards the front of the stage, pouring his whole heart into the song.

The wise man said just find your place

In the eye of the storm

Seek the roses along the way

Just beware of the thorns.

Here I am!

"Here I am."

"Will you send me an angel/Here I am!"

"Here I am."

"In the land of the morning star!"

Hiro stepped forward and wailed a short guitar solo. He made his guitar sing like no other could. The last strains echoed away, garnishing him enthusiastic applause as Shuichi started to sing again.

"The wise man said just raise your hand/And reach out for the spell/Find the door to the promised land."

Shuichi walked across the stage, looking out over the sea of faces, their hands waving in the air. Most had tears running down their faces. He felt a lump in his throat and the tears he had been trying to hold back rolled freely down his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Eiri and their son standing in the wings.

"Just believe in yourself/Hear the voice from deep inside/It's the call of your heart."

This had always been one of his favorite songs and after everything he had been through, the song meant so much more. For two months, he had been wandering in the dark, unable to find his way out. He had been lost and confused, unsure of himself and anything else. Eiri had been his angel, calling him back. Knowing him, the rest of his NG family and fans were all standing behind him had given him the courage to stand up and beat this thing.

"Close your eyes and you will find/The way out of the dark."

Shuichi walked out along the catwalk that extended out into the audience as he sang the final chorus. Fans crowded the runway, extending their hands out towards the singer. Smiling, Shuichi bent over and slapped the dozens of hands. Switching his microphone to his other hand, he did the same for the fans on the other side.

Here I am (Here I am)

Will you send me an angel

Here I am (Here I am)

In the land of the morning star

Here I am (Here I am)

Will you send me an angel

Here I am (Here I am)

In the land of the morning star

As he made his way back to the main stage, he repeated the final chorus again; swaying to the music and this time Hiro stepped forward and let his guitar wail and sing, reprising his solo through the entire verse this time.

"…Here I am (Here I am)."

The music ended and there was a slight pause where the audience began clapping and whistling encouragingly.

"In the land…of the morning star," Shuichi sang a cappella, breaking the final line in half. His voice faded and the auditorium erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Shuichi opened eyes he had not realized were closed and smiled through his tears at the passionate standing ovation Bad Luck was given. He was going to miss this. Placing the microphone in the stand, he stepped back and waved to the crowd. Suguru, Kei, Kai, Michael and Hiro joined him. They raised clasped hands above their head and bowed. The applause exploded.

"Thank you!" he shouted above the noise. "Thank you and good night!"

Bad Luck bowed once more and headed off stage.

As soon as he was in the wings, Shuichi launched himself at his husband, grinning broadly. Eiri caught the sweaty singer and swung him around. Putting him back on his feet, he pecked him quickly on the lips. Shuichi suddenly felt exhausted and totally drained now that it was all over. He was wide-awake and pumped up on adrenaline, but at the same time, his legs were bothering him. They felt kind of like jell-o, all jiggly and wobbly, like if he took one more step his legs were going to splay in opposite directions like a colt taking its first steps. Not to mention, he was beginning to get a headache and he suddenly felt nauseous. All he wanted at this point was to go home and cuddle with Eiri, but unfortunately, the night was far from over.

"Shindou-san," called one of the stagehands.

Pulling away from his husband, Shuichi turned and took his cane the man was holding out. "Thanks," he smiled weakly.

"You were awesome, Mama," a grinning Riku said.

"Thanks, Riku." He hugged Riku to his side with his free arm.

"Shindou-san," called one of the production assistants. "We have the press room all ready for you guys," she said.

Shuichi sighed heavily as he pulled away from Riku. He really was not in the mood

Eiri stepped forward and wrapping an arm around his husband's waist squeezed him gently to his side. "Come on, Shu. The sooner we get going, the sooner we can go home." Eiri bent over and whispered huskily in his ear, "And celebrate."

When a warm blush spread across Shuichi's cheeks, Riku rolled his eyes. It was great that his parents were so into each other, but they could be so embarrassing, especially when they flirted with each other, and especially in front of him. Please! Some children would rather not know about their parents' love life thank you very much. Talk about being scarred for life. Yeesh.

Shuichi lifted his head and stared at his writer husband, his eyes sparkling in anticipation. That sounded pretty damn good to him. Wrapping an arm around Eiri's waist, he rested his head against the man's broad chest and let him drag him to the pressroom.

Shuichi stood outside the pressroom and took a deep breath. The butterflies returned as he thought about what he was going in there to do.

"Ready?" Eiri asked him, dropping his arm.

Not really, he thought, but it must be done. Exhaling, Shuichi nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

"C'mon, Riku," Eiri called.

Riku whined. Damn. He thought he'd be able to get out of the press conference. Guess not.

Together, Shuichi and Eiri led the others into the room where the press was waiting. As soon as they entered, a bevy of cameras went off, following the group's progress to the stage. Tonight he would not be so much as ending one aspect of his life as putting it on hold while he started another.

"Shindou-san! Shindou-san," came the shouts.

Here we go, the singer thought.

oOo

Six Months Later - September - Mikonos

They were seated in the farthest corner, secluded behind beautiful potted trees and several screens. The ceiling lights in the place were dimmed so low, there really was no point in having them on. Instead, the Greek restaurant, Mikonos, was illuminated by the candles that sat in the middle of each table. The candles gave off a soft glow, but surprisingly kept the room lit enough to be able to see your way around without tripping all over yourself or bumping into any of the other patrons.

"Thank you, Shu-chan," Eiri whispered. He leaned across the table, cupped his husband's face and gave him a long, lingering chaste kiss. "Happy Anniversary," he whispered as he pulled away.

"Happy Anniversary, Eiri," Shuichi whispered back.

"So," the writer said, taking a sip of wine. "This is the place Tohma suggested last year?"

"Yeah," the singer blushed. "Is it okay?"

Eiri shrugged. "We'll see when our food arrives, but the service so far has been pretty good."

Shuichi's doctors had ordered complete bed rest for him; they knew how hyperactive he was and because he was pregnant with twins, they did not want to chance him having another miscarriage. So Eiri had assumed that for their anniversary they would be spending a nice, quiet dinner at home, but Shuichi had been determined to bring him here to Mikonos, the Greek restaurant where he planned to ask him to marry him. Eiri had intended to put his foot down, but once Shuichi looked at him with those puppy dog eyes, those fake tears and oh, so cute pout he had given in.

Kami-sama, he was so whipped.

He caught sight of their server heading their way with two plates and a basket balanced on his arms. Eiri had always been amazed at how they could juggle so many things at once without dropping something. Shuichi could barely carry one plate from the counter to the table without spilling something.

"Speak of the devil."

"Here is your Tiropsomo," the man said, setting the light brown basket on the table. "And your Horiatiki salata." He set a rather large plate of Greek salad in front of each of the men and stepped back.

"Thank you," Eiri said.

"Is there anything else, Gentlemen?"

"Nothing for now, thank you."

The young server bowed and left.

Shuichi glanced at the salad that was large enough to feed three people and grimaced. He picked up his fork and poked at the bunny food, glancing at Eiri who had already started eating his and who was watching him closely.

"Eat it Shuichi."

The singer grimaced. "What's in it?" he asked suspiciously.

"Stuff that's good for you."

That was a matter of opinion.

"Now eat," Eiri ordered.

Shuichi poked his fork at what looked like a flower bud. "What's this?"

"A caper."

Shuichi blinked at him. "A what?"

Eiri sighed. "It's a caper, an edible flower."

"A flower?" Shuichi's face scrunched up. "Gross! I'm not eating a flower!"

"You will eat or I'll force it down your throat."

"Aw, man," Shuichi whined. "What else is in here?"

"Those red things are tomatoes-"

Shuichi glared at him.

"Hey, you asked."

"Eiri," Shuichi growled threateningly.

Eiri sighed. "Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onion. That white crumbly stuff is feta cheese. If you've never had it before, you could get the runs."

Shuichi's lips curled back in disgust. As if he did not go to the bathroom enough as it was.

"There're also black kalamata olives, capers, as I said, parsley, oregano, salt, oil and vinegar."

Shuichi put down his fork, unsure if he could even try the green mixture in front of him. This was the last time he let Eiri order for him. The basket the server had placed in the middle of the table caught his attention. "And what's this?"

"Tiropsomo: cheese bread," he clarified at Shuichi's blank expression.

That did not sound so bad. He grabbed a slice of the still hot bread and took a tentative bite. Immediately, he fell in love with it. "This is good," he commented.

"At least you like something," Eiri muttered. "You will eat that salad, Shindou Shuichi."

Shuichi rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom." He laughed when Eiri shot him an evil glare, but his laugh choked to a sudden stop. His hands flew to his gigantic stomach.

The glare was gone as if someone had flipped a switch. Eiri's fork clattered to the table. Jumping to his feet, he was instantly at Shuichi's side when the raven-haired man's face twisted into an unreadable expression. "Shu! What's wrong?"

Shock filled violet eyes lifted and locked with golden hazel ones. "I-think it's-time."

Eiri straightened and stared down at Shuichi blankly. His mind could make sense of what Shuichi just said. It was as if he had spoken to him in some strange foreign language. The writer knew there was something he was supposed to be doing, but for the life of him, he could not think of what that was.

"Eiri?"

Shuichi's voice snapped him out of his daze. He looked over his shoulder and singled to their waiter. Pulling out his wallet, he paid their bill, giving the man a sizeable tip for the mess they were leaving him.

"Keep the change," he said.

The man bowed. "Thank you, Sir. Have a pleasant night."

He was not so sure about that.

Eiri helped Shuichi to his feet. Then dug out his cellphone and calling Marcus, told him to bring the car around. Pocketing his phone, the blond writer wrapped his arms around Shuichi's waist and helped him out of the restaurant, trying not to draw too much attention.

When the car pulled up, Eiri did not bother to wait for the chauffer or the big, burly guard to open the door for them. Instead, he helped his husband inside and ordered them to take them to the nearest hospital. "Now," he growled.

It was safe to say nobody questioned him.

oOo

Uesugi-Shindou Residence

A pounding on the door woke Riku out of a sound slumber. What the hell? It was the freaking middle of the night! He had school in the morning. He did not need this. Muttering angrily under his breath, Riku stumbled his way through the darkened condo towards the front door.

"Get dressed," ordered a voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

Riku blinked sleep blurred eyes as the figure. The syllables meant nothing to his sleep muddled mind. "…Huh?"

His uncle Tohma slowly came into view. "Shuichi's gone into labor. Get dressed."

oOo

Keio University Hospital

"Hug your legs to your chest," Dr. Amano told Shuichi several long and agonizing hours later, "and on the next contraction, bear down hard like you're going to the bathroom."

Shuichi nodded. He grabbed his ankles and pulled his legs back to his chest with trembling hands. Kami-sama, he was scared. Eiri was so going to pay for putting him through this. "Tell me why I'm doing this again?" he asked his husband.

Eiri smirked softly at the smaller man. He reached out and swept his husbands damp raven bangs aside. "Because you love me."

Shuichi snorted. "Not right now I don't."

Eiri chuckled.

"Don't worry, Shindou-san," the doctor reassured him with a smile. "Everything will be fine."

Easy for her to say. She is not the one lying here about to give birth.

Shuichi looked at his husband standing besides him. He was glad Eiri was here.

Eiri smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder, telling his lover without words that everything was going to be all right.

"Here we go," the doctor said, looking at the monitor by the side of the bed.

There was no need to tell him. Even with the epidermal, he could feel the damn contraction coming. How could you not see the bullet train barreling towards you? Shuichi turned back towards the doctor, waiting.

"And…PUSH!"

He bore down with everything he had, grunting with the excruciating effort. Sweat glistened down his face, gluing his gown to his body. Eiri had helped tie his hair back earlier and right now, he was glad for that. The back of his neck was dripping with sweat. His face was flushed and warm.

"2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 and breathe."

Letting out his pent up breath, he had barely enough time to catch his breath when the cycle started again.

"And push! 2-3-4-5…"

oOo

"All right, I see the head! Take a breather, Shindou-san." Dr. Amano smiled happily at the father-to-be half an hour later. "It looks like he has your hair, Eiri-san."

A grin slowly crossed Eiri's face.

"Okay, Shindou-san. One final push…! Got him!"

Shuichi collapsed onto the bed panting heavily.

The baby's umbilical cord was cut and his nose and throat were cleared. Almost immediately, a near ear-splitting wail rang through the delivery room. The sound of his son's wails brought tears to Shuichi's eyes.

"Here is baby number 1," Dr. Amano cried. He held the screaming baby up so that new parents could see him.

Shuichi burst into tears. "Oh, Eiri," he cried in perfect imitation of his newborn son.

"He's beautiful, Shu-chan." Despite all that goop he is covered in, he added silently.

"That's because he looks like you," Shuichi giggled through his tears.

That was an understatement. Their son looked like a miniature version of Eiri with a head full of yellow-blond hair, oval face and long thin nose. Shuichi wondered what color his eyes were going to be.

"Yeah," Eiri agreed, "but he has your lungs."

Shuichi chuckled. There was no denying that. The kid had one set of powerful lungs. Not to mention, he sounded kind of upset and annoyed, just like Eiri when he was bothered. Like father, like son, Shuichi thought happily.

oOo

A short time later, Uesugi-Shindou baby number two arrived in much the same manner as his brother. Shuichi could not seem to stop crying. That might have been one of the most painful experiences in his entire life, but it had been well worth it.

He had been through so much in just the past decade that he thought he had been cursed to never live a happy, normal life, but maybe in the end, it had been worth it, if for nothing more than to get to this point.

Shuichi felt so content with where his life was and where it would be going that it made him a little suspicious and just a little scared, but he pushed those negative thoughts aside. His life was finally getting back on track and he was going to enjoy it.

Eiri sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his arm around his husband, hugging him tightly. He, too, had tears glistening in his eyes. "I'm proud of you, Shu-chan," he whispered, kissing the top of Shuichi's head.

Shuichi laid his head against Eiri's chest with a sigh and smiled. "I love you, Eiri."

"I know," Eiri whispered back.

"But, next time, you're going to be the one lying here."

Eiri snorted. No way in bloody hell was that ever going to happen.

"Here you go," announced a nurse in a come-hither voice, a small swaddled bundle in her arms. "Baby one."

Eiri stood up and the nurse gently laid the quiet infant in his mother's arms.

"Thank you," Shuichi whispered, cradling his son gently to his chest. He smiled through his tear-blurred vision and kissed his son lightly, holding him securely. His son looked up at him with the most beautiful brown eyes he had ever seen. "Oh! He's so cute, Eiri!" Shuichi giggled through his tears. "You look exactly like your daddy! Yes, you do!" Shuichi sniffled. He could not seem to stop crying or smiling.

Standing besides his husband, Eiri smirked as he rubbed lazy circles on Shuichi's back.

"Ya know, I bet you're going to have Daddy's eyes, too," Shuichi cooed. "You'll be the cutest baby in town!" He looked up at his husband. "I bet this's what you looked like as a baby."

Eiri snorted.

"Right?" Shu asked his son. " What do you think, huh?"

The baby just stared up at him, watching him as if he were trying to memorize his face.

"You're just a little Daddy-clone!"

Eiri snorted out a laugh. Where did he get this stuff?

A second nurse walked up to them. "Here you go," she smiled, as she laid baby two in Shuichi's other arm.

"Hi," Shuichi cooed to the baby. His kissed him softly. "I'm your mama."

The baby looked up at him and yawned loudly.

"Awe," Shuichi laughed. "Tired, huh? Yeah, you guys had a big day."

As Shuichi continued to talk to his sons, Eiri's face softened as he glanced down at his family. A soft smile lit his face.

Shuichi smiled up at him. "What should we name them?"

Eiri reached out and caressed his eldest boy's cheek. The baby looked up and locked eyes with his father.

"That tall, handsome, sexy man is your daddy," Shuichi told his son. "Say, 'hi, Daddy'."

Eiri chuckled. "Taro."

Shuichi blinked at him. "What?"

"His name'll be Taro," indicating his eldest child. "And…" The writer studied his other boy who was an exact duplicate of his brother, considering. He reached out and touched his son's baby soft face, smiling. "Jiro."

"Taro and Jiro," Shuichi repeated slowly. "Eiri," he scolded. "First born son and second born son?" He shook his head, clucking his tongue. "Jeeze! Why not 'Heir' and 'Backup Heir'?"

Eiri glared at his husband, but Shuichi looked innocently back at him. "Fine," Eiri sighed. He thought about names for his son's, good, strong ones. A slow smile crossed his face. "Keitaro and…Kane."

"Keitaro and Kane," Shuichi repeated. "'Blessed' and…" He looked up at Eiri help.

"'Little brother' in Gaelic."

Shuichi nodded slowly. "I like them." Despite the fact that Kane still had a title for a name, he thought. He glanced down at his boys. "What do you guys think, huh?" he asked, smiling brightly. Both newborns glanced up at him with their cloudy brown eyes that Shuichi knew would turn into beautiful golden hazel in due time. Shuichi kissed them, chuckling, then glanced up at his husband, who dipped his head and kissed him.

"I love you, Shindou Shuichi," he said, pulling back.

"I know," Shuichi whispered back. "But I'm still never going through this again."

We will see about that, Eiri thought. We will see. "Yeah," he called when there came a knock on the door of Shuichi's private room.

"Mama? Daddy?"

"Come here," Eiri ordered. "Come meet your brothers."

Riku stepped inside, shutting the door behind him and crossed the room towards Shuichi's bedside. "Mama," he whispered in wonder. "They're so cute." He reached out and ran the back of his knuckle every so gently across his brothers' warm, flushed faces. He chuckled. "They look like you Dad."

Eiri rolled his eyes. "So I've heard." Crossing his arms across his chest, he took a step back and regarded his boys and his husband. A rare smile crossed his face.

…The End…

Next in the Building A Family series: Because of You